Mayor Greg Erosenko says the council is making moves that will hurt Monroeville financially. He opposes a plan to pay for the college education of new Police Chief Steven Pascarella, and he says Lynette McKinney's qualifications fall short of the standard for the municipal manager position.

Political leaders in Monroeville would rather talk about their growing business sector or anything else that builds a shiny image. Instead, they're embroiled in a hot mess of "circus politics" that's rubbing residents the wrong way.

It was clear Thursday that many Monroeville residents are unhappy. Just getting through the doors of the municipal building was difficult, as people spilled out from the overcrowded council chambers and listened to council members being scolded over Doug Cole's demotion without cause.

At a special meeting Thursday night, the council voted 4-3 to make acting Chief Steven Pascarella the permanent replacement for Doug Cole, who was removed without cause and demoted to sergeant last month.

Pascarella could be sworn in next week, at the scheduled council meeting on Tuesday.

The issue has been a source of controversy within the municipality. Cole is taking action against Monroeville with a lawsuit claiming that council members orchestrated his demotion.

When the council recommended paying for Pascarella's college degree, it didn't sit well with some residents in the crowd.

"I'm done. I'd rather live in Cranberry, Butler, wherever, where the taxes are lower, Robinson. Probably get more house for the same amount of money," said one woman. "And who knows? Heck, they may be just as crazy out there on council, but at least my taxes will be lower."

Taxpayers began paying for Pascarella's college education when he was promoted to assistant chief in 2011. The council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether that should continue.

"Chief Pascarella is a very qualified officer, but I'm not happy with them reducing the education requirements at this time. Our former chief -- as well as our prior chief who retired -- had degrees, and I would like to think we would not lower our standards, but four beats three every time," Mayor Greg Erosenko said. "I'm not sure where they're going to get the money from. They're saying it's in the budget. I'm going to review that, and I'll have more on that on Tuesday for the residents. There's some controversy if I have the right to veto it. I'm reviewing that with our solicitor. I'm not happy about it."

Paying for employees' education isn't unusual, but Erosenko said the municipality passed an ordinance in 2010 to stop doing it.

"We just can't afford it. That's just the bottom line," he said. "And I can't understand how this council can pass that (paying for Pascarella's education), if they do."

Boykin, who enters his fourth season, also wanted to clarify his comments on Sunday, a day after the Eagles traded him to the Steelers for a conditional fifth-round pick, stressing that his former head coach Chip Kelly is not a racist.